More Than a Brand
The Meaning Behind Rare Breed
The name Rare Breed is more than just a brand - it's personal.
It's something my dad used to say, a reminder that not everyone is meant to follow the crown. That being different, standing firm in who you are, and moving with purpose is something to be proud of.
That idea became the foundation of everything Rare Breed Maui represents today.
What It Means to Be Rare Breed
To be a Rare Breed is to stand apart - not by chance, but by choice.
It's about moving with purpose, staying rooted in who you are, and not following the crowd just to fit in.
It's a reminder that being different isn't something to hide - it's something to own.
A Connection to the ʻĀina
My connection to Hawaiʻi goes much deeper than simply being born and raised here.
The stories of my mom’s side of the family, my Kaʻaiʻakamanu and Keahi ʻohana, go back to the olden times, long before Honolua became the destination that so many people know today. My ʻohana were entrusted with the care of that ʻāina. The story passed down through my family is that a chief gifted the land to our ʻohana because he trusted them to continue caring for it, just as they had been doing for generations.
And caring for the land meant more than simply looking after the ʻāina. My ʻohana were also stewards of the iwi kupuna who rest there - protecting and honoring those who came before us.
That kuleana has never felt like something that simply belonged to the past.
Even though portions of Honolua are now part of a place visited by people from all over the world, our connection to that ʻāina remains. We still care for it. We still honor it. And our ʻaumākua still visit that land.
For me, Honolua isn't just a beautiful place on Maui.
It is family.
It is lineage.
It is ʻāina.
It is a reminder of the kuleana we carry for those who came before us and those who will come after us.
My Roots Stretch Beyond Maui
My Hawaiian roots also extend beyond my motherʻs side of the family. My dadʻs side of my family has connections to Kōkeʻe on Kauaʻi, Hawaiʻi Island, as well as Oʻahu. Our lineage can be traced by to the Kamehameha and Kekaulike Dynasties. So although Maui is home, the story of my family reaches across these islands.
Each place carries its own history, its own beauty, and its own connection to the generations who came before me.
When I think about where I come from, I donʻt think of just one place on a map. I think about the people, the ʻāina, the moʻomeheu, and the moʻolelo that were here long before me and continue through my family today.
These connections are a part of who I am, and they naturally find their way into the things I create.
Behind the Art
Behind Rare Breed Maui is a Native Hawaiian artist,
wife, and mother, born and raised in Hawaiʻi.
This brand reflects where I come from, what I value,
and the stories I choose to share through my work.
Every design begins as a hand-drawn illustration or photo Iʻve taken, inspired by the beauty of the islands, the culture I was raised in, and the everyday moments that shape who we are.
Each piece is created with intention - not just something to wear, but something to connect with.
